Building construction



July 5, 1960 N. BABCOCK BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 9, 1955 July 5, 1960 H. N. BABCOCK 2,943,716

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 9, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Henry Nash Babcock, 8 Middle Way, Old Greenwich, Conn.

Filed Dec. 9, 1955, Ser. No. 552,087

ZJClaims. (Cl. 189-1) This invention relates .to the art of building constructionand, in one of its more specific aspects, to constructing and arranging certain basic structural parts of a building in -a manner that clear working space areas within the building may be readily and economically alteredto suit the needs of a particular user, as required.

Thepresent invention is especially useful in relatively low buildings employing structural members, suchas steel beams and columns in the framework. By the practice of my invention, the supporting columns of the building may, at any time after original construction is completed, bereadily relocated to thereby increase or decrease the clear working space areas at desired locations withinvthe building. Furthermore, the relocation of one or more columns may be carried out in substantially less than the time and at substantially less than the cost heretofore required for comparable operations.

It is assumed, by way of example, that a one-story or a two-story building has been designed and constructed to a particular use and that the supporting columns are spaced horizontally to define bays or working space areas of predetermined size. Changing conditions may later require corresponding changes in the sizes of the working space areas. Also, it may be found desirable to convert the structure to a different use. In either case, it may be necessary to relocate one or more of the columns. If the building construction embodies the instant invention, the columns may be relocated at exceedingly low cost, thereby adapting the building to the needs of'the user. At the same time, the cost of construction in accordancewith the present invention compares well with that of conventional structures;

It is a principal object of the invention to provide a building construction having certain structural parts so constructed and arranged that clear working space areas the building may be varied at relatively low cost.

Another object of the invention is to provide a building construction having features of flexibility whereby supporting columns within the building may be expeditiously relocated by relatively unskilled labor.

Afurther object of the invention is to provide a building construction of the character indicated that is reasonable in initial cost, that is adapted to be altered interiorly, as required, at low cost and that is adapted to perform its intended functions in an entirely satisfactory manner.

To theend that the-foregoing objects may be attained, a building embodying the construction of this invention comprises a base which may include footings and/or piers. Embedded in the base is one or more rows of threaded female coupling members which are flush with or are slightly below the upper surface of the base. Thus, particular coupling members which are not in active use at a. given time do not present obstructions or obstacles which might interfere with normal use. The principal beams and the columns of the building are preferably inthe form of structural steel beams having one o'r morerows of spaced holes formed thereinto provide 2,943,716 Patented July 5, 1960 for connections of the required strength. In one recommendedform of construction, each beam is provided with three longitudinal rows of spaced drill holes, consisting of a first row of holes formed along its neutral axis and second and third longitudinal rows of holesformed, respectively,.above and below the neutral axis. The'rows of holes are as close as possible to the neutral axis, to

minimize the extent to which the beam is weakened due to the presence of the holes.

Eachcolumn isprovided at its upper end with a cap plate that bears against the bottom surface of the beam. Each columnissimilarly provided at its lower'end with anapertured billet plate. interposed between each column and the base is a pair of slotted, generally wedgeshaped base plates. Each column is detachably connected to the base by bolts which extend through the apertures in its billet-plate and the slots in the base plates andengage corresponding selected female coupling members. The column is detachably connected to the beam by a means carried by and projecting above the column. This'means includesbolts which register with the beam openingsthat correspond to the selected female coupling members.

The principal load bearing horizontal members are preferably integral unitary members extending from end to end of'the structure, thereby avoiding the need structurally continuous even though they may be tightly coupled. Depending upon the requirements of the structure, transverse members which interconnect intennedi ate portions of more or less parallel principal beam members may be in the form of tie-members or load bearing members. Tie members are utilized when the principal functionthereof isto limit or arrest movement of a principal beam member. When, in addition, such members are required as load bearing members, then they also are provided in a suitable form such as that shown for the principal. load bearing beams. In those instances where a column registers with the point of interconnec' tion of a; principal beam and a transverse member, it

is' not necessary to extend the column by means of'plates or the like above the bottom of the beam; "In such case, I provide holes in the bottom flanges. or equivalent portions of the horizontal members and connect those flanges to the cap plate of a supporting column by means of bolts which extend through the drill holes in the flanges and aligned openings in the cap plate.

It will be apparent from the detailed description that follows and the accompanying drawings that individual columns-may be readily and economically relocated as required and that the structure is not materially weakened at or subsequent to the time a column is shifted from-one location to another.

The enumerated objects, as well as additional objects,-

together with the advantages of the invention, will be readily understood by persons skilled in the art from the'following detailed description and the annexed drawings which describe and illustrate building constructions fabricated in accordance with this invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of part of the structural. framework of a building which utilizes columns andbeams arranged in accordance 'with the invention;

Fig. 2 is an isometric view of a column connected to a base and a beam according to this invention;

Fig. 3 is a view in enlargement taken along line 3-3 ofFig.2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged front elevation view of the upper portion of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4; i

Fig. 6 is a view taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is an isometric view of one of the base plates shown in Figs. 2 and 3; and

Fig. 8 corresponds to Fig. 6 and illustrates the manner of connecting a column to va principal beam and a pair of secondary beam or tie members that are disposed at right angles to the principal beam.

Referring now to the drawings wherein'like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, a building construction embodying this invention comprises a base 10 that may include concrete footings 11 and concrete piers 12. The bases are provided in the form of elongated members which'extend parallel with all load supporting members, which are in turn to be supported by vertically disposed columns. Whilethe minimum area of the base will be determined by the unit area load bearing capabilities of the ground, I minimize the dimension of the base corresponding to the transverse or short axis of the beam. To provide maximum freedom with regard to'column spacing, I may extend the base so that it is substantially as long as its corresponding beam. In those instances where the transverse members connected to the principal beam members are merely tie members, it is only necessary to provide bases below the principal beam members. Where the transverse or secondary members are load bearing members which may also be supported by columns, the bases are provided with transverse portions which extend below the secondary members. Thus, as shown in Fig. 2, the bases may be somewhat X-shaped. Here, too, the transverse dimension is minimized so that maximum length of each leg of the base is attained with a minimum expenditure of material.

The base also includes perforate leveling plates 13 that are grouted in on top of the piers and preferably are level with the finished floor of the building. Embedded in each pier and registering with corresponding perforations in the leveling plates are spaced female coupling members 14 which are arranged in rectilinear rows corresponding, in the present instance, to the axes of the intersecting principal and secondary load bearing members. The coupling members in each row are spaced apart any desired distance, such as, for example, one foot. Fig. 2 shows two rows of female coupling members, one row intersecting and being at right angles to the other row. Each coupling member 14 is preferably made of one piece and comprises a shank 15, a bent lower end part 16 and an enlarged hollow and internally threaded upper end part 17 (Fig. 3). The upper extremity of each coupling member is flush with the exposed surface of its leveling plate. Coupling members 14 that are not in active use may be provided with removably threaded plugs (not shown) to prevent accumulations of dirt or other foreign material in upper end part 17.

Base 10 carries a plurality of columns C for supporting principal beams B and transverse members T. Columns C and beams B are preferably structural steel beams. While tie members T are shown as being in the form of I-beams, it is to be understood that they may be of any desired for-m known to the art. 7

Each column C includes a web 18 and a pair of flanges 19. Secured to the top and bottom, respectively, of each column, preferably by welding, is a cap plate 20 and a billet plate 241. Billet plate 21 has a pair of drill holes 22 (Fig. 3). A pair of wedge-shaped base plates 23 are interposed between each column C and leveling plate 13. As is best shown in Fig. 7, each base plate 23 has an elongated slot 24 that extends inwardlyfrom its entering edge 25. Each column 0 is detachably connected to the base by means of bolts 26 which extend through billet plate holes 22 and base plate slots 24 and engage with coupling members 14 as illustrated in Fig. 3.

Each beam B consists of a web 27, an upper flange 28 and a lower flange 29. The neutral axis of the beam is indicated by dotdash line 30 in Fig. 2. Web 27 is provided with three parallel rows of drill holes, namely a first row of drill holes 31 formed along neutral axis 30, an upper row of drill holes 32 and a lower row of drill holes 33 that are respectively above and below the neutral axis. The drill holes in each row are spaced apart horizontally the same'distancc as the female coupling members in the base. The drill holes are also spaced apart vertically but each hole 32 and 33 is as close to corresponding hole 31 in the neutral axis as is possible to minimize weakening of beam B due to the presence of the holes.

Column C is detachably secured to beam B by a means 35 that will now be described having reference to Figs. 2 and 4 through 6. This connecting means comprises a pair of parallel gusset plates 36 that are removably connected to the flanges of the column by bolts 37 and nuts 38. Means 35 also comprises a pair of generally Z-shaped steel units 40 (Fig. 5), each of which consists of a web 41 and flanges 42 and 43. Each unit 40 is permanently attached to a corresponding gusset plate by rivets 44 which extend through aligned openings in its flange 42 and the gusset plate. A pair of units 40 is adapted to be removably connected to beam web 27 by bolts 45 which extend through a selected vertical row of drill holes 31, 32 and 33 in the web and corresponding aligned drill holes in flanges 43. Bolts 45 carry retaining nuts 46. As is indicated in Figs. 4 and 6, beam B bears against cap plate 20 and is secured to the column by means 35, as above described.

It is believed that the manner of initially erecting and connecting the columns to the base and to the beams will be evident from the foregoing description taken in conjunction with Figs. 2 through 7.

The building should be provided with a spare column C, a pair of spare base plates 23, a pair of spare bolts 26 and a spare connecting means 35 for use when it is desired to relocate a particular column. At the time of such relocation, the spare column is raised at the new location so that openings 22 in its billet plate 21 are aligned with the female coupling members 14 at the new location. Spare bolts 26 are then inserted through openings 22 and are turned a few times to engage with aligned coupling members 14. The gusset plates 36 and units 40 of the spare connector means 35 are now mounted on the flanges of the spare column by means of bolts 37 and nuts 38 and bolts 45 are inserted through flanges 43 of units 40 and web openings 31, 32 and 33 which correspond to the female coupling members at the new location. The spare base plates 23 are then driven between the billet plate and the leveling plate from opposite sides of the column so that their slots are in alignment with bolts 26. When the base plates are driven tight, the spare column will have picked up the load. The bolts for the new connections are now tightened.

The old column is disconnected from its beam by removing bolts 37 and 45 from its connecting means 35. Similarly, the old column is disconnected from the base by withdrawing its bolts 26. The base plates 23 are then driven out from under the old column billet plate thereby leaving the old column free and unloaded. The old column and its coupling means 35 and base plates 23 now become spare parts and may be used for future changes at new locations in the building.

Reference is now had to Fig. 8 which illustrates the manner of connecting a column C to a principal beam B at the juncture of such beam and a pair of transverse members T, which are in this instance secondary beams. Each transverse member comprises an upstanding web 47, an upper flange 48 and a lower flange 49. Connected to each transverse member is an L-shaped member 51 which as shown in Fig. 8 is in turn bolted to web 27 of beam B by bolts 52 and nuts 53. As illustrated, bolts 54 extend through aligned openings formed in the lower flange 29 of the beam and in cap plate 20.

It will be apparent that, as shown in Fig. 2, the location of a column may be shifted as desired anywhere along the length of beam B. With secondary load members as shown in Fig. 8, the location of the column may be shifted along the length of beam B or transversely thereto along secondary member T.

An outstanding advantage of the present invention resides in the speed with which columns may be relocated. Hitherto, the time required to relocate even a single column in a conventional structure was two or three weeks or more. Now, in accordance with the present invention, a column may be relocated between the close of business on one day and opening time on the following day.

It is intended that all matter contained in the description or shown in the drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limited sense and that various terms appearing in the description and in the claims shall be construed broadly. Thus, the columns may be made of wood, as well as metal, and may be of any desired configuration known to the art. Similarly, the beams and tie members may be made of any suitable material or combination of materials, instead of steel. Further, the term beam as used in the description and in the claims is intended to include various types of overhead structural members, such as trusses, joists and the like.

The terms and expressions which I have employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and I have no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but recognize that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

I claim:

1. In a building construction, a plurality of load hearing and structurally continuous beams, supporting means for each of said beams including at least three vertical columns, means connecting said columns in supporting relation with said beams with at least three columns supporting each of said beams and each end of a beam being rigidly connected to a column, each of said continuous beams with said columns connected in supporting relation thereto being adapted to support its load while spanning a distance greater than half the distance between alternate columns connected thereto, said beams each having bending moments and internal stresses developed therein in the region immediately adjacent to each of the columns supporting the same with the bending moments and internal stresses developed in each of the beams over and adjacent to the intermediate one of the columns supporting the same being in ofisetting and opposed relation respectively to bending moments and stresses developed in the portions of each of said beams extending on opposite sides of the intermediate column associated therewith, and at least said intermediate columns being removably supported and connected to said beams, whereby an additional column may be inserted in the space between two adjacent columns and connected to the beam in supporting relation thereto and one of said adjacent columns may be removed thereby increasing the clear span of the preexisting structure.

2. The method of constructing a building having a flexible useful area which includes erecting at least three vertical columns in spaced relation, supporting a load bearing structurally continuous beam on said vertical columns and rigidly connecting each end of said beam to one of the columns so as to develop bending moments and internal stresses in said beam immediately adjacent to each of said columns with the bending moments and internal stresses developed in the beam over and adjacent to the intermediate column in offsetting and opposed relation respectively to bending moments and stresses developed in the portions of said beam an opposite sides of said intermediate column so that said beam while supporting its load is adapted to span a distance greater than half the distance between the columns on opposite sides of said intermediate column.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 704,829 Huber July 15, 1902 1,192,209 Kahn July 25, 1916 1,599,745 Cinnamond Sept. 14, 1926 1,995,573 Matthews Mar. 26, 1935 2,066,718 Dietz Jan. 5, 1937 2,067,403 Lea Jan. 12, 1937 2,114,902 Henderson Apr. 19, 1938 2,132,601 Bell Oct. 11, 1938 2,331,483 Lawman et al Oct. 12, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 538,663 France Mar. 22, 1922 707,869 Great Britain Apr. 21, 1954 

